Class 43 HST Profile and Models
43138 'City of Plymouth' at Birmingham New Street in April 1987. ©Steve Jones
The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for Intercity 125 High Speed Train power cars, built by British Rail for use on express passenger services. The Class 43 is officially the world's fastest diesel locomotive, with an absolute maximum top speed of 148mph, and a regular service speed of 125mph. The class are widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential locomotive designs and were a tremendous success for British Rail. The class were paired with specfically designed Mk3 coaching stock and initially saw use on both the Western and Eastern regions of BR. Over time, they saw use across the network and thanks to their vastly improved speed and acceleration/ deceleration times, they helped to slash journey times. The HSTs continued strongly into the 21st century and although they have now been removed from their original 'stomping grounds', they still perform a variety of services with an array of operators into the 2020s. Many sets have now been stored, but there have been expressions of interest for their use on other passenger workings or even as part of new freight operations. |
|
Type of Locomotive |
Diesel-Electric |
Builder |
BREL Crewe Works |
Build Dates |
1975 to 1982 |
Total Built |
197 |
Tractive Effort |
17,980 lbf |
Power Output |
2,250 hp |
Top Speed |
In Service: 125mph Record Speed: 148 mph |
Wheel Configuration |
Bo-Bo |
Operated By |
British Rail Abellio ScotRail Colas Rail Cotswold Rail CrossCountry East Coast East Midlands Trains/ Railway GNER Grand Central Trains Great Western Railway Hull Trains London North Eastern Railway Midland Mainline Network Rail National Express East Coast Virgin Cross Country Virgin Trains East Coast Virgin Trains West Coast |
Main Duties |
Regional & Express Passenger |
In Service Until |
Present |
Surviving Examples |
194 |
Products awaiting categorisation
Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Amer Collection | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
GBL17 View |
Class 43 in BR Intercity 125 livery - static model - not motorised | BR blue and grey | |
N Gauge | Dapol | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | DCC Ready. 6-pin socket |
ND111aDISC View |
Class 43 HST Twin Pack Intercity Blue/Grey 43006 (powered) + 43007 (Dummy) | BR blue and grey | |
N Gauge | Dapol | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | DCC Ready. 6-pin socket |
ND111bDISC View |
Class 43 HST Twin Pack Intercity Swallow 43120 (Powered) + 43114 (Dummy) | Intercity | |
N Gauge | Dapol | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | DCC Ready. 6-pin socket |
ND111cDISC View |
Class 43 HST Twin Pack Virgin Trains 43098 (Powered) + 43102 (Dummy) | Virgin Cross Country | |
N Gauge | Del Prado | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
Del4 View |
HST 125 Inter City - Locomotives of the World static model | Awaiting Categorisation | |
T Gauge (1:450 Scale) | Eishindo | RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled | Not set |
TG-125 View |
Intercity 125 4-Car HST in BR blue & grey | BR blue and grey |